Rodgers & Hammerstein's only musical written directly for the screen is now a stage musical that's had critics raving from coast to coast. Set against the colorful backdrop of an American heartland tradition, STATE FAIR travels with the Frake family as they leave behind the routine of the farm for three days of adventure at the annual Iowa State Fair. Mom and Pop have their hearts set on blue ribbons while their daughter and son find romance and heartbreak on the midway. Set to the magical strains of an Academy Award-winning score and augmented by other titles from the Rodgers and Hammerstein songbook, STATE FAIR is the kind of warm-hearted family entertainment only Rodgers & Hammerstein could deliver!
In this adaptation for pre-high school students, the content has been edited to better suit younger attention spans, but all the elements that make this show a classic are still in place. You and your students will be enchanted by the timeless story and the dazzling score, while at the same time learning about theater and its production. Getting to Know...STATE FAIR is the perfect show to introduce young people through the 9th grade to the magic of live theater. PLEASE NOTE: All schools wishing to perform a G2K musical should apply through the Hal Leonard. Community theatres and youth organizations should apply using this website.
Cast Requirements: PRINCIPALS
3 Women;
3 Men;
FEATURED
4 Women;
1 Girl;
6 Men;
ENSEMBLE
Singing-dancing ensemble consisting of Barkers, Vendors, Judges, and Fairgoers;
CHARACTERS
Abel Frake - a farmer;
Melissa Frake - Abel's wife;
Margy Frake - the Frake's daughter;
Wayne Frake - the Frake's son;
Gus - the Frake's hired man;
Dave Miller - the local storekeeper;
Eleanor - Wayne's girlfriend;
Harry - Margy's boyfriend;
The Fair Announcer;
The Hoop-La Barker;
Emily Arden - a performer at the fair;
Vivian;
Pat Gilbert - a newspaper reporter;
Charlie - a newspaper photographer;
Lem - a farmer;
Clay - a farmer;
Hank Munson - a farmer;
The Chief of Police;
Violet - his daughter;
The Fairtones - Emily's backup act;
Judge Heppenstahl;
Mrs. Edwin Metcalf of Pottsville;
Barkers, Vendors, Judges and Fairgoers.
Set Requirements: STATE FAIR takes place over five days in late August of 1946 on the Frake farm in Brunswick, Iowa and at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.;
SPECIFIC LOCATIONS
The Frake Farm;
The Midway at the Hoop-La Booth;
The Concessions Tent;
Outside the Dairy Pavilion;
The Starlight Dance Meadow;
Camper's Hill;
Exhibition Hall;
Another Area of the Fair;
Outside the Livestock Pavilion;
Rehearsal / Orchestral Material: 2 – Director's Scripts;
1 – Logo CD;
2 – Piano/Vocal Scores;
20 – Libretto/Vocal Books;
1 – Study Guide;
1 – Vocal/Accompaniment (Rehearsal/Perf) CD;
1 – Video Guide to Musical Staging (VHS);
10 – Chorus Books;
Musical Numbers: Opening (Our State Fair); It Might As Well Be Spring; Our State Fair; More Than Just A Friend; Isn't It Kinda Fun?; That's The Way It Happens; Reprise: It Might As Well Be Spring; It's A Grand Night For Singing; All I Owe Ioway; Reprise: Isn't It Kinda Fun?; Reprise: That's The Way It Happens;